House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) will endorse an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden this week, a move that will give him some breathing room within his party but likely prevent House Democrats from wanting to work with him.
McCarthy will tell House Republicans in a closed-door meeting on Thursday that launching an impeachment inquiry into Biden is the “logical next step” for the House GOP investigations that started when Republicans took the majority.
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An impeachment inquiry has been floated around the lower chamber, particularly from hard-line conservatives on the House Judiciary and Oversight committees looking into an “alleged criminal scheme” on behalf of the Biden family and the politicization of the Justice Department.
However, McCarthy had been adamant that an impeachment inquiry would come through formal processes if that is the path Republicans decide to take, not “through the declaration by one person.”
Now, it seems as though GOP leaders are looking to begin those processes, which could have significant ramifications on McCarthy’s speakership, an already fragile position, as well as the outcomes of the 12 appropriations bills needing to be passed to avoid a government shutdown.
On the one hand, McCarthy supporting an impeachment inquiry of Biden will earn him points with the House Freedom Caucus, whose members have been vocal in demanding overall spending cuts, border security funding, and other policy changes in exchange for their votes.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), an ally of McCarthy, said she would not vote for funding the government if a continuing resolution does not address an impeachment inquiry for the president.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has already made it clear that moving to vacate McCarthy as speaker is on the table, but McCarthy has brushed off threats to his gavel, saying “Matt’s Matt” when asked if he was worried.
However, while an impeachment inquiry may soothe the hard-line conservatives, it is likely to alienate centrist Republicans who have been skeptical of such a move, such as Reps. Ken Buck (R-CO) and Don Bacon (R-NE).
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who has been happy to challenge her party, said she would support an inquiry into Biden. However, she did acknowledge it could place vulnerable Republicans who are running for reelection in 2024 in a difficult position with their constituents, particularly for those who lead districts Biden won in 2020.
On top of the fact that it is unclear whether 218 House Republicans will vote for an inquiry, McCarthy can only afford to lose four votes on the appropriations bills if he hopes to pass all 12 before funding expires on Sept. 30 due to Republicans’ slim majority. So, losing key centrist Republican votes over an impeachment inquiry could be a move he cannot afford to make.
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An impeachment inquiry will also make it less likely for McCarthy to work with the White House and House Democrats. The Democrats have been seen as McCarthy’s safety net when it comes to a “motion to vacate” or remove him as speaker.
McCarthy is always vulnerable to the motions because it only requires one member to initiate the process. But losing the support of the House Democrats could make it harder for him to remain in his leadership position if House Republicans move forward with the inquiry.
